The Olympus E-400 was announced on the 14th September 2006, just before the Photokina show in Cologne, Germany. At the time there was much excitement about this compact and lightweight camera however this turned to disappointment for many of our readers when we discovered the camera would not be available in North America. Fast forward six months and we have the solution, the new E-410, gone is the Kodak CCD replaced with a (Matsushita) Live MOS Image Sensor which can provide Full Time Live-View on the LCD monitor, an updated image processor and a few other added features. So finally an affordable, compact, lightweight 4/3 digital SLR for everyone, including those who live in North America.
New features (compared to the E-400)
- Ten megapixel Live MOS Image Sensor (provides Full Time Live-View)
- Auto Focus in Live View (although still requires live view freeze and mirror flap)
- TruePic III processor (faster, better image quality, better noise reduction)
- Improved continuous shooting; still 3 fps but unlimited at JPEG HQ or 7 RAW
- No warning message at higher sensitivities (E-400 warned from ISO 800 upwards)
In conjunction with their announcement of the E-410 Olympus also announced two more ZUIKO Zoom lenses. There is a new kit lens in the 14-42 mm F3.5 - F5.6 which provides a nice wide angle three times zoom coverage equivalent to 28 - 84 mm on a 35 mm camera, next up is the 40-150 mm F4.0 - F5.6 which when combined with the kit lens would give you a full 28 - 300 mm equiv.
